Steve McClaren has admitted the half-hour he spent persuading Gaizka Mendieta his future lay on Teesside may just be the best of his management career to date.

Steve McClaren has admitted the half-hour he spent persuading Gaizka Mendieta his future lay on Teesside may just be the best of his management career to date.

The delighted Boro boss unveiled his latest capture yesterday afternoon after impressing the 29-year-old Spanish international with his ambition during a 30-minute chat in Rome last week.

Remarkably, Boro have tied up Mendieta, who joined Lazio in a &#xA3;28.9m move from Valencia two years ago, for the next five years without having to pay a transfer fee, and McClaren, as well as chairman Steve Gibson, could hardly be more satisfied.

"We've been all summer searching for the one, two or three special players that would take us forward, and I was very surprised a couple of weeks ago when somebody mentioned that Gaizka was available," he said.

"It's taken a lot of work behind the scenes. (Chief executive) Keith (Lamb) and the chairman have been fantastic in setting up this deal, and once Gaizka was available, all our attentions were on him and convincing him that this was the place to come. The trip to Rome and Lazio, half an hour with him after training, was an interesting experience, but one in which I think we both shared similar ambitions, Gaizka in his football and me for this football club.

"I was delighted when I got the phone call that he was coming here and had no hesitation."

Mendieta had established himself as one of the most glittering talents in European football when Lazio snapped him up from Valencia in the summer of 2001.

However, the Bilbao-born midfielder struggled to make an impact in Serie A was sent out on loan to Barcelona last season, a saga which he admits affected his confidence.

"The most important thing for a player is to have confidence," he said. "When you know you have a coach and a team that always supports you, that's most important.

"I've come here to enjoy my football again, to entertain the supporters and to try to take Middlesbrough to as high as possible.

"I want to play in the Premier League and Middlesbrough have given me this opportunity.

"It's an ambitious club and we have to work hard this year so hopefully next year we are in Europe."

McClaren believes that Mendieta's arrival is as big as that of Brazilian Juninho first time around, and he is confident that the Spaniard can have a similar impact.

"It's a massive signing," he said. "One thing that I said to Gaizka when he came - and I've watched him many, many times and played against him - one thing you have to have in England, in the Premier League, is a good work ethic.

"You have to work hard, have a big heart and a good attitude, that is number one.

"Gaizka, I know from his days in Valencia and having watched him also for Barcelona last season, we know that is the number one priority, and he has that to go with what makes him so special, that he's a very good player technically and has great ability.

"I know that once Gaizka starts playing and gets his confidence, and we have every confidence in him, you'll see a very good player playing for Middlesbrough."

Boro have had a reputation in the past for investing heavily, and sometimes unwisely, in big-name signings on the way down, but they insist they have not recruited a football mercenary in Mendieta.

"This club now is in good shape both on the field and off the field, and that's important to us, particularly with the present football climate," said Lamb.

"We're probably in as good, if not better, shape than most Premier League clubs to take advantage of the current financial climate.

"As far as the finances are concerned, that never really has been an issue in any of our signings over the last 10 years.

"What is important - and I think Steve has stressed this - is that we sign players for football reasons, and that's why Steve went out to Rome to meet Gaizka.

"It was important before any financial matters were discussed that Gaizka wanted to come to Middlesbrough for his career reasons.

"We all know of examples, both at Middlesbrough and other clubs in the past, where football has been secondary to money. That is not the case here."